Container for packaging a folded fabric product

ABSTRACT

A container for packaging a folded fabric product comprising:
         an end cap ( 3 ) including a base wall ( 5 ) and peripheral walls ( 7 ) surrounding the base wall;   a central support ( 9 ) secured to the base wall and including at least two support panels ( 11 A,  11 B) extending generally perpendicularly from the base wall, the support panels having free ends ( 9 A) which can be joined together;   wherein at least one folded fabric product ( 8 ) can be packaged within the container, the folded fabric product being retained in position within the container by the central support with a portion of the folded fabric product located within the end cap, and another portion of the fabric product remaining exposed when accommodated within the container.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to packaging for retail goods, and in particular to packaging for goods displayed at retail outlets. While the present invention will be described with respect to its application for packaging car seat covers, it is to be appreciated that the invention is not restricted to this application and that other applications are also envisaged.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Car seat covers are typically sold in Australia in flat packs where the car seat cover is folded into a flat configuration and inserted into a generally clear plastic sleeve. A cardboard insert may also be included within the sleeve printed with details of the car seat cover. The sleeve may also include a hanging or other hanging means to allow the flat pack to be hung up for display in the shop. In the United States, it is more common for car seat covers to be sold while packaged within a free standing cardboard carton.

A problem associated with existing packs, regardless of whether it is a flat pack or carton, is that it is difficult or not possible to touch the fabric of the car seat cover. This can lead to customers opening the pack while in the shop to gain a better view and feel of the car seat cover. This is undesirable because the car seat cover needs to be refolded and placed back into the opened pack by the retailer if the customer decides not to purchase the product. The resultant repackaged pack will most likely show signs of having previously been opened, and would therefore be less desirable for another customer to purchase.

Other more general problems associated with flat packaging is that it is more difficult to display such products within the shop environment. Also, it is relatively easy to shop lift a flat packaged product as it can be easily secreted within a person's bag or under their clothing.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome one or more of the problems associated with such known packaging.

With this in mind, the present invention provides a container for packaging a folded fabric product comprising:

-   -   an end cap including a base wall and peripheral walls         surrounding the base wall;     -   a central support secured to the base wall and including at         least two support panels extending generally perpendicularly         from the base wall, the support panels having free ends which         can be joined together;     -   wherein at least one folded fabric product can be packaged         within the container, the folded fabric product being retained         in position within the container by the central support with a         portion of the folded fabric product located within the end cap,         and another portion of the fabric product remaining exposed when         accommodated within the container.

The end cap may preferably be formed as a unitary moulded shell, and may preferably be made from a plastic material. It is also envisaged that alternative materials such as moulded paper pulp be used.

The central support may be formed from a folded length of planar material, the fold lines defining the two support panels, a lower joining panel for joining a lower end of the support panels, and an upper engagement means respectively located at the opposing upper free ends of the two support panels. The engagement arrangement may for example be in the form of an interlocking tab and slot arrangement respectively provided at the free ends of the support panels. The engagement arrangement, when connected, hold the two panels together to retain the one or more folded fabric products contained within the container. A tamperproof means may be used to prevent release of the engagement arrangement until after the product is purchased. This tamperproof means may be in the form of an adhesive label applied over the interlocking tab and slot arrangement.

The central support may be made from cardboard. It is however also envisaged that the material such as plastic sheeting be used for the central support.

The central support may be secured to the base wall by locking means. Accordingly to one peripheral arrangement, the locking means may include at least one aperture provided through the joining panel and through the base wall, with a fastening means being inserted through the apertures to secure the central support to the base wall. The fastening means may be in the form of a ‘Christmas Tree’ male chip having a base, an engagement member extending from the base and opposing side arms extending laterally from the engagement member, with cooperating apertures being provided through the joining panel and base wall to allow access to the engagement member of the Christmas Tree clip at a predetermined rotation of the clip. It is also envisaged that the central support be secured to the base wall using an adhesive.

Preferably two folded fabric products may be packaged within the container with each product being wrapped around or otherwise secured by a fabric tie or clip or by other means to at least one of the panels of the central support.

The folded fabric products may for example be folded car seat covers. An accommodating space may be provided between the two panels of the central support to allow accommodation of a further product, for example, a steering wheel cover.

The peripheral walls of the end cap may be used to support labels for the packaged product. It is also envisaged that other products may be secured to the end cap by means of a plastic shell secured to the peripheral wall of the end cap. Such an arrangement may for example be used to support a container of car perfume on the container.

The container according to the present invention allows for a portion of the packaged product to be exposed so that customers can touch the fabric of the product without having to open the container. The product is also supported in a highly visible manner within the container which can be self standing. The container can also be used to package other fabric products such as bed linen, table cloths and so on.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

It will be convenient to further describe the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Other embodiments are envisaged, and consequently, the particularity of the accompanying drawings is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a container according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the central support of the container of FIG. 1 shown in an unfolded state; and

FIG. 3 are detailed views of the fastening means for the container of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIG. 1, there is shown an exploded view of a container 1 according to the present invention. The container 1 includes an end cap 3 which may be in the form of a unitary moulded shell having a base wall 5 and peripheral side walls 7. A central support 9 (best shown in FIG. 2) is secured to and extends from the base wall 5 of the end cap 3. The central support 9 is in the form of a folded sheet of cardboard or other planar material to provide two support panels 11A, 11B that are joined by a central joining panel 13. Provided at the free end 9A of each of the support panels 11A, 11B is an engagement arrangement 15A, 15B. The engagement arrangement 15A on one support panel 11A includes an end panel 17 connected to the support panel 11A along a fold line 18, an engagement slot 19 being provided on the fold line 18. Furthermore, an interlocking tab 21 is formed in the support panel 11A and extends across the fold line 18 and is connected to the support panel 11A at a fold line 26. At the end of the other support panel 11B is provided a second end panel 23 connected to the other panel 11B along a fold line 22. A further interlocking tab 25 extends from the end of the end panel 23, the interlocking tab 25 being connected to the end panel 23 along a fold line 24. An engagement slot 27 is provided along the fold line 24. When the central support 9 is folded along the fold lines 14 separating the support panels 11A, 11B from the joining panel 13, the engagement tag 21 is adapted to engage the engagement slot 27 provided on the other end panel 23, while the interlocking tab 25 is adapted to engage the engagement slot 19 of the first end panel 17. Once the two end panels 17, 23 are engaged, a tamperproof adhesive label 10 can be adhered over the interlocking arrangement to prevent separation of the engagement arrangement 15A, 15B until after the product has been purchased.

The central support 9 is secured to the base wall 5 of the end cap 3 by means of Christmas Tree clips 12 as best shown in FIG. 3. Cooperating apertures 16 are provided in the joining panel 13 of the central support 9. Similar apertures (not shown) are provided through the base wall 5. The Christmas Tree clips 12 includes a base 29 from which extends perpendicularly an engagement member 31. The engagement member 31 includes laterally extending side arms 33. The apertures 16 in the end panel 13 and through the base wall 5 are adapted to allow the engagement member 31 to be inserted through the apertures 16 when the clips 12 are rotated to an appropriate position. The Christmas Tree clips 12 are then locked in position by twisting of the clip such that the side arms 33 now engage the surface of the joining panel 13.

The folded fabric product 8 may be in the form of a pair of seat covers. These seat covers may be folded around or otherwise clipped to the support panels 11A, 11B to retain them in position within the container. It is then not possible to remove the seat covers 8 until after the engagement arrangement 15A, 15B is released to allow the seat covers 8 to be removed.

The peripheral walls 7 of the end cap 5 may provide an area to which can be applied labels 11 supporting product details and other information. It is also possible to secure other products to the peripheral wall 7, for example, by means of an acetate blister pack adhered to the peripheral wall 7. Products that can be supported within the blister pack may for example include an air freshener. There may also be sufficient space between the support panels 11A, 11B of the central support 9 to allow the accommodation of another product, for example a steering wheel cover.

Modifications and variations as would be deemed obvious to the person skilled in the art are included within the ambit of the present invention as claimed in the appended claims. 

1. A container for packaging a folded fabric product comprising: an end cap including a base wall and peripheral walls surrounding the base wall; a central support secured to the base wall and including at least two support panels extending generally perpendicularly from the base wall, the support panels having free ends which can be joined together; wherein at least one folded fabric product can be packaged within the container, the folded fabric product being retained in position within the container by the central support with a portion of the folded fabric product located within the end cap, and another portion of the fabric product remaining exposed when accommodated within the container.
 2. A container for packaging a folded fabric product according to claim 1, wherein the central support is in the form of a folded length of planar material having fold lines defining the two support panels, a joining panel for joining a lower end of the support panels, and engagement means respectively located at the opposing upper ends of the support panels for joining together the two support panels.
 3. A container for packaging a folded fabric product according to claim 2, wherein the engagement arrangement includes an interlocking tab and slot arrangement respectively provided at the upper ends of the two support panels.
 4. A container for packaging a fold fabric product according to claim 2, wherein the central support is secured to the base wall of the end cap by means of a Christmas Tree clip having a base, an engagement member extending from the base and opposing side arms extending laterally from the engagement member, with cooperating apertures being provided through the joining panel and base wall to allow access to the engagement member of the Christmas Tree clip at a predetermined rotation of the clip.
 5. A container for packaging a folded fabric product according to claim 1, wherein the folded fabric product is a car seat cover. 